The 225 University of Nebraska-Lincoln undergraduate students who have officially been admitted to teacher education programs in the College of Education and Human Sciences during the 2024-25 academic year were recognized at the Teacher Education Convocation held April 4 at Carolyn Pope Edwards Hall.
Students were formally recognized during the Convocation ceremony and presented with a commemorative pin symbolizing that they are one step closer to entering the professional life of an educator.
Ken and Annie Bird provided the keynote address for the event. CEHS Interim Dean Nick Pace and Shirley Vargas, School Transformation Officer and Office Administrator for Coordinated School and District Support at the Nebraska Department of Education, also provided remarks during the ceremony.
“You have chosen an amazing career path,” Annie Bird told the future teachers during the convocation. “I would guess that as you’ve chosen this profession, there was some teacher, some educator in your life, that really left an impression on you and led you to the direction of wanting to go this route. You’re going to be that person for someone else.”
Kenneth Bird began his professional journey as a welder before transitioning to a position as a hall monitor at Westside High School. Over the course of 11 job titles, he eventually rose to the position of superintendent at Westside. Annie Bird’s influence extends beyond her career as a speech-language pathologist for the Nebraska Department of Education. A former educator, her passion for assisting others is evident in her work with individuals and families, particularly those affect by disabilities.
In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Ken Bird founded Avenue Scholars, a non-profit organization dedicated to youth education in Omaha. He served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Avenue Scholars from June 2008 to Sept. 1, 2024. The Birds are also active on a variety of nonprofit boards in the community.
This is the second year CEHS has hosted the Teacher Education Convocation.
College of Education and Human Sciences
Child, Youth and Family Studies
Special Education and Communication Disorders
Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education
